September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, an annual campaign established by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) to raise awareness about pain in animals and the importance of effective pain management. Animals experience many of the same types of pain as people, including pain associated with injury, surgery, arthritis, and other medical conditions. While acute pain is often easier to recognize, chronic pain can be much more difficult to identify and may be mistaken for normal signs of aging. As IVAPM emphasizes, getting older is not a disease, and pain should not simply be considered a normal part of aging.

Recognizing pain is the first step toward helping an animal feel better. Pets cannot tell us when something hurts, so they often communicate through changes in their behavior and daily routines. A pet that is less active, reluctant to climb stairs or jump, having difficulty getting up, sleeping more, or showing less interest in activities they once enjoyed may be experiencing pain. These changes can be gradual, making them easy to overlook. Paying attention to what is normal for an individual pet, and noticing when that changes, can help owners identify potential problems earlier and seek veterinary care.

Animal Pain Awareness Month is also an opportunity to recognize that pain management is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Depending on the underlying cause and individual needs of the patient, veterinarians may recommend a combination of treatments, including medications, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, laser therapy, and even VetStem Cell Therapy. That’s right, stem cells have demonstrated the ability to directly modulate pain. More on this later.

This Animal Pain Awareness Month, take time to learn the signs of pain and talk with your veterinarian if you notice changes in your pet’s comfort, mobility, or behavior. Throughout September, follow the VetStem blog as we explore different aspects of animal pain, from recognizing the signs to understanding pain management options and how stem cell therapy may help.